IMPORTANCE OF NEUROMUSCULAR AND METABOLIC DETERMINANTS OF 5 KM RUNNING PERFORMANCE 753:

This study investigated the importance of neuromuscular characteristics, aerobic power and treadmill and track running economy on distance running performance. Endurance athletes (n=12) performed a 5 km time trial (5K) and maximal 20 m speed test (V20m) on a track and running economy (RE) tests on the treadmill and track. Maximal anaerobic and aerobic running tests on the treadmill were used for the determination of maximal anaerobic power(Pmax), maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) and ventilatory threshold(VT). RE at 250 m·min-1 was worse during treadmill than track run (228.5 ± 11.5 and 205.2 ± 10.1 ml · min-1· kg-2/3, p<0.001, respectively). 5K time (18.0 ± 0.6 min) correlated significantly (p<0.05) with VT (r = -0.85), treadmill and track RE in ml · min-1 · kg-2/3 (r = 0.63 and r = 0.73, respectively), Pmax (r = -0.73) and V20m (r = -0.65). 5K time showed no significant correlation with VO2max or with RE in unit ml · kg-1 · min-1. Regression analysis revealed that VT and Pmax were the most important determinants of the 5K time. We conclude that besides of ventilatory threshold and running economy also the force and velocity characteristics of the neuromuscular system are important for the distance running performance. We also conclude that RE in ml · min-1 · kg-2/3 should be used instead of the RE in ml· kg-1 · min-1.